A feel-good hidden gem Irish movie is airing on TV tonight

Starring an Oscar-winner, the film is also streaming on Netflix.

Written by Ailbhe Keogan (Bad Sisters, the upcoming Trespasses) and directed by the acclaimed Emer Reynolds (The Farthest), the film revolves around a pre-teen boy in Kerry named Mully (Charlie Reid, September Says) who flees from his father and steals a taxi.

After doing this, however, he is shocked to find a woman named Joy (Colman) in the back seat of the car with a baby.

"Joy has decided to give her child away to a friend, and Mully needs some distance from his debt-ridden dad, who’s after the cash Mully has with him," the plot synopsis adds.

"And so two lovable rogues - a complicated middle-aged mother and a troubled adolescent - go on a journey across Ireland, gradually finding in each other the friendship, love and learning they never knew they needed."

Also featuring within its cast recognisable Irish actors like David Pearse (Bodkin), Lochlann O'Mearáin (Smother) and Olwen Fouéré (The Watched), Joyride earned mixed reviews upon release, with some critics deeming it predictable and far-fetched.

That said, the comedy drama got a second life last year, when it was added to Netflix and topped the streaming giant's movie chart in Ireland.

At the time, many viewers took to social media to praise the Irish film for its heartfelt story, as well as for Colman and Reid's performances.

One X poster called the movie "tender, funny and warm".

Joyride is airing on TV tonight on RTÉ2 at 9.35pm. It is also still streaming on Netflix.

Joyride is such a gorgeous wee Irish filum. Starring the always magnificent Olivia Colman. However, the standout performance here comes from young Charlie Reid. Wonderful!

— Jason Reid (@JasonReidUK) August 5, 2024

Oh, blimey. Joyride over on the Netflix is an absolute joy of a film. Charlie Reid, the sixteen co-star to Olivia Colman is going to go far. Tender, funny and warm. It was just what I needed tonight. It will go straight to your heart. Night, you lot.

— Melanie Hewitt (@MelAndStuff_) August 1, 2024

Here are the other movies airing on TV tonight:

The Dead Pool - ITV4 - 9pm

The fifth and final Dirty Harry film sees Clint Eastwood’s cop investigating the killing of several celebrities. Liam Neeson and a young Jim Carrey co-star.

The Negotiator - Legend Xtra - 9pm

An expert hostage negotiator (Samuel L. Jackson) winds up taking hostages, leading to a stand-off, in this fun ’90s action thriller.

Anna - Film4 - 9pm

Cillian Murphy, Helen Mirren and Luke Evans are among the cast of this action thriller about a young woman (Sasha Luss) who becomes an assassin.

Rambo: Last Blood / Bullet to the Head - Legend - 9pm / 10.50pm

A later-period Sylvester Stallone action film double bill.

Monster Hunter - E4 - 9pm

A video game adaptation starring Milla Jovovich, this fantasy action flick is good dumb fun.

High Plains Drifter - TG4 - 10pm

The first Western that Clint Eastwood, a legend of the genre, both directed and starred in. An excellent film.

The Lawnmower Man - Sky Sci-Fi - 11.10pm

The ’90s sci-fi horror with Pierce Brosnan that was very, very loosely based on a Stephen King short story – so loosely, in fact, that it led to a lawsuit.

The Black Phone - Film4 - 11.20pm

This excellent 2021 supernatural thriller is about a young boy (Mason Thames) abducted and held captive by a serial killer (Ethan Hawke).

Its sequel, Black Phone 2, has landed in cinemas today. Check out JOE's review of the follow-up and our interview with its director and stars right here.

Q&A - Legend Xtra - 11.45pm

Armand Assante, Nick Nolte and Timothy Hutton star in this brilliant if underseen 1990 police corruption thriller from legendary writer-director Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, Network, The Verdict).

A Girl from Mogadishu - RTÉ One - 12.15am

This acclaimed 2019 drama is based on the life of Somali-Irish social activist Ifrah Ahmed (Aja Naomi King).

Turn your home into a cinema with this projector 

Do you love movies? Have you ever dreamt of turning your home into your own cinema?

If so, then you may be interested in a home theatre projector we spotted on sale on Amazon with “impressive quality”.

The 4K projector has the likes of YouTube, Netflix and Prime Video built-in, so you can access thousands of films and shows without an additional TV stick, and you can also connect it to Bluetooth on your phone and laptop.

It’s currently priced at €53.52 in a limited-time deal on the Amazon website.

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